Automatic feed-water regulator.



Patented Oct. l7, I899 F. M. CHAPPELL. AUTOMATIC FEED WATER REGULATOR.

(Application filed Apr. 15, 1899.)

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Patented Oct. I7, 1899.

AUTOMATIE FEE!) WATER REGULATOR.

(No Model.)

(Application filed Apr. 15, 1899.)

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N0. 635,!26. v I Patented Oct. [7, I899. F. M. CHAPPELL.

AUTOMATIC FEED WATER REGULATOR.

(Application filed Apr. 15. 1899.) (No Model.) 3-8heets-Sheet 3.

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FRANK M. CHAPPELL, or PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE PITTSBURGeAeE AND SUPPLY COMPANY, or sAME PLACE.

AUTOMATIC FEED-=WATER REGU LATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 635,126, dated October17, 1899 Application filedyApril 15, 1899. Serial No. 713,160. (Nomodel.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that LFRANK M. GHAPPELL, a citizen of the United States ofAmerica, residing at Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State ofPennsylvania, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements inAutomatic FeedJVater Regulators, of which the following is aspecification, reference being bad therein to the accompanying drawings.

The herein-described invention relates to certain new and usefulimprovements in automatic feed-waterregulators, and more particularly tothat class in which a thermostat is employed The invention has for itsobject to construct an apparatus of the above-referred-to class thatwill automatically regulate the waterline in water-tube or other boilersand retain such line at any predetermined point or level.

The invention further aims to construct an automatic feed apparatus thatwill be of the simplest construction, with no delicate parts that can beeasily put out of order, and an apparatus that will effectively maintainthe water at a certain level as fast as it evaporates.

Furthermore, the invention aims to con-' struct an apparatus of theabove-referred-to class that may be manufactured at a comparativelysmall cost.

WVith the above and other objects in view the invention finally consistsin the novel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts to behereinafter more particularly described, and specifically pointed out inthe claims.

In describing the invention in detail reference is had to theaccompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, whereinlike numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout theseveral views thereof, and in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of ahorizontal tubular boiler, showing my improved apparatus attachedthereto. Fig.2 is a view in side elevation of the thermostat andcontrollingvalve. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the same. Fig.4 is an enlarged detail view showing the lever-arm partly broken away,carrying a sleeve, washers, adjusting-butts, and connecting-rod, Fig. 5is an enlarged controlling-valve.

detail view, in vertical section, of the top plate together with itsparts forming the looking mechanism of the controlling-valve. Fig. 6 isan enlarged vertical sectional view of the condensing-coil. Fig. 7 is anenlarged longitudinal vertical sectional view of the Wastecontrollingvalve. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the thermostat, showing the samedisconnected. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the Fig. 10 is aperspective View of the end of the lever-arm and sleeve, showing thelever-arm partly broken away. Fig. 11 is a perspective View of thevalve, stem, and guides of the controlling-valve. Fig. 12 is a detailview in perspective of one of the convexed washers. Fig. 13 is a detailView in perspective of the elliptical spring lever-arm. Fig. 145 is adetail view in perspective of the fulcrum-block. Fig. 15 is a detailview in perspective of the elbow connecting the thermostat and thecondensing-coil. Fig. 16 is an enlarged detail view in perspective ofthe controlling-valve ot' the waste-pipe.

Referring to the drawings by reference-numerals, 1 indicates a mainfeed-pipe communicating with a feed-pipe 2.

3 indicates an auxiliary valve attached to the feed-pipe 2, saidfeed-pipe being further provided with a balance controlling lockvalveat.

The reference-numeral 4 indicates an ordinary check-valve arranged inthe feed-pipe 2, and 4 an auxiliary valve arranged on the feed-pipe nearthe boiler 5.

The reference-numeral (5 indicates a water-column carrying a water-gage6 To the said water-column 6 is attached a flow-pipe 6, and in saidflow-pipe 6 is arranged a valveii. 9o The reference-numeral 6 is acondensingcoil connecting with the flow-pipe 6 and the thermostat 6 Thereference-numeral 6 indicates a wastepipe, having secured near thethermostat a 5 waste-controlling valve 71. i

6 represents a blow-oif pipe having a blowoff valve 6 The dotted lines w20 indicate the waterline' in the boiler 5.

The balance-controlling lock-valve 4 consists of, a casing and v isprovided with the usual valve-seats 6 6, a valve-stem 7, carrying guides8, and valves 8, arranged thereto.

The reference-numeral 9 indicates a cap which is exteriorlyscrew-threaded at 10 and adapted to engage an interiorly-sorewthreadednipple 10 of the valve-casing. Said cap carries a yoke 11, and formedintegral therewith is a top plate 12, said top plate being provided withlugs 13 13, which are apertured at 14 and adapted to receive a pin 15,to which is swingingly secured a lock-lever 16,carry in'g on its freeend a hook portion 17. On the up per face of said top plate 12, formedintegral therewith, is arranged an upwardly-extendingsleeve 12", havingconverging sides, and the under face of said sleeve serving as a guideand is adapted to receive an enlarged portion 12 of the valve-stem. Theunder face of said hook portion is adapted to engage a head 18, saidhead having a concaved upper face 19, carrying on its under face ashoulder 12, having converging sides 12 the latter being oppositelyinclined to the sides of the sleeve 12, said sides being formed integralwith the said head and the enlarged portion 12 of the valve-stem 20,which forms a guide operating through the top plate 12.

The reference-numeral 21 is a spiral spring surrounding the sleeve 12and the enlarged portion 12 and abutting against the lower face of thehead and the upper face of the top plate 12, said spring serving tonormally retain the ports of the valve closed. .A pin 22, which ispreferably formed of hardened metal, is centrally secured upon the upperface of the head 18.

The thermostat 6 consists of a tubular extension 23, which is exteriorlyscrew-threaded at its upper extremity, as shown at 24, and is similarlyscrew-threaded at its lower extremity, as shown at 25. To the said lowerextremity is secured a fitting 26, which is interiorly screw-threaded at26 and adapted to receive the screw-threaded portion 25. This fittingcarries on its inner side a solid shoulder 27, formed integraltherewith, this shoulder being tapped on its upper face, as at 28, andadapted to receive the screw-threaded end of a stay-rod 29L The saidstay-rod operates through a guide 30 of the collar 31, which is rigidlysecured to and surrounds the tubular extension 23. Said collar 31 isfurther provided with a similar guide 32, which is arrangeddiametrically opposite the guide- 30. The upper end of the stay-rod 29is screwthreaded and adapted to receive an adj usting-nut 33. At thelower end of said stay-rod is a similaradjusting-nut 34. The saidstayrod is further provided at the upper extremity with a forked end 35,the latter being also interiorly screw-threaded and adapted to receivethe exteriorly-screw-threaded end of the said stay-rod. The forked end35 is apertured at 36 36 for the reception of a pin 37, which engages alever-arm 38, operating in the forked end 35 and arranged approximatelyat a right angle to the said stay-rod 29, the said lever-arm 38 havingon its lower face a concaved recess 39 and carrying on its otherengaging end a sleeve 40, which is formed integral therewith, saidsleeve having formed on its upper and lower faces concaved recesses 4141. A connecting-rod 42 carries screw-threaded ends 43 at its upperextremity which are adapted to operate through the sleeve 40. Convexedwashers 44 44 are arranged on the said connecting-rod and placed aboveand below the said sleeve, the convexed faces of which are adapted toengage the concaved recesses of the said sleeve. The inner diameters ofthe convexed washers of the sleeve are greater than the diameter of thescrew-threaded portion of the connecting-rod, which allows a freemovement upon the same.

At the upper extremity of the screw threaded connecting-rod is arrangedan adjustingnut 45, said connecting-rod being further pro: vided withsimilar adjusting-nuts 46, which are arranged above and below the sleeve40, the said rod extending downwardly and operating through a guide 32of the collar 31. The lower end of the connecting-rod is likewisescrew-threaded, as shown at 4'7, for the reception of an adjusting-nut48 and the screw-threaded forked end 49, the latter being apertured at50 to receive a pin 51.

A connecting-bar 52,having arranged therein a transverse slot 53,carries on its upper extremity a screw threaded extension 54, which isadapted to receive a fitting 26, the latter engaging aninteriorly-screw-threaded portion 55. provided at its lower extremitywith a screwthreaded portion 56, to which is secured a springclamp-support 57, carrying apertured ears 58, said clamp being adaptedto encircle the feed-pipe 2 and the apertured ears being provided with abolt 59, carrying adjustingnuts 60.

An elliptical spring-lever 61 is pivotally secured by means of the pin50 to the forked end 49 and passes through the slot 53. aperture 62extends through the sides of the connecting-bar, through which passes apin 63 and lever 61, forming a fulcrum for the latter. The ellipticalend 64 tapers to a point or feather-edge, the under face being flat andadapted to engage the pin 22 of the balancecontrolling lock-valve.

A fitting 65, interiorly screw-threaded, is arranged upon thescrew-threaded portion 24 of the tubular extension 23, said fittinghaving a nipple 66, adapted to receive an elbow 67, which is interiorlyscrew-threaded to receive the condensing-coil 6 The said fitting isfurther provided at its top with a plug 68, which is preferably composedof hardened material. Said plug carries on its upperend a fulcrum-block69, the latter having a beveled face 70, which tapers to a feather-edge,forming a fulcrum-bearing and operating in the concave recess 39 of thelever-arm 38.-

A waste-controlling valve 71 is arranged at the base of the thermostat,which controls Said connecting-bar is similarly the action of the same,and is formed of 'a casing '72, in which is arranged an ordinaryValve-stem 73, carrying on its inner end the valve proper, which iscone-shaped and is indicated by the reference-numeral 74, said valvehaving formed therein an opening 75, extending from the apex of the cone74 rearwardly at an angle and terminating at a point on the stem in therear of the valve proper. The operation of the apparatus is as follows:Water is conducted through the main feed-pipe l to the feed-pipe 2 andis cond ucted through a valve 3, through the balance-coir trollinglock-valve 4, thence through the ordinary check-valve 4c and through anauxiliary valve 4 to the boiler 5. For the pur pose of illustrating theexact operation of this apparatus we will presume that it is desired toretain the water-line at a point which is approximately in the center ofthe watercolumn 6 and'the water-gage 6 The flowpipe 6 is attached to thewater-column 6 at a point Where it is desired to retain the Waterleverin the boiler and indicated on the drawings by the dotted lines to to.For the purpose of further illustrating the operation of my improvedapparatus it will be presumed that the water has not as yet reached thisheightin the boiler. Steam will be conducted through the flow-pipe 6into the condensingcoil 6 thence into the thermostat 6 which will causethe same to expand, thereby raising the fulcrum-block 69, raising theleverarm 38 and connecting-rod 42, thereby communicating a downwardmovement to the elliptical end 64 of the elliptical spring-lever 61, thesaid end depressing the pin 22 of the valvestem 20 and simultaneouslydepressing the spring 21, thereby causing the valve to open and freelyadmit the water-supply. As soon as sufficient water has-entered theboiler and the desired water-line is obtained it will cover the month ofthe flow-pipe 6 in the watercolumn 6, which will immediately fill theflow-pipe 6 with water, and the same will be conducted through thecondensing coil 6, thereby cooling the same, and thence into thethermostat 6 causing the latter to contract, thereby lowering the fulcrum-block 69, relieving the thermostatic pressure from the lever-arm38, and allowing the connecting-rod 42 to descend slightly by gravity,raising the elliptical end 64 of the elliptical lever-arm 61 andrelieving the thermostatic pressure from the pin 22, operating thevalves'tem of the balance-controlling lock-valve 4, and permitting thesame to close by reason of the expansion of the spiral spring 21,thereby shutting off the water-supply. The balance-controllinglock-valve 4: remains in this position until the water-line in theboiler has lowered to a point which will again unseal the mouth of theflow-pipe 6 allowing steam to enter and forcing the water in theflow-pipe 6 through the condensing-coil 6 thence through the thermostat6 through the waste-controlling Valve 71, and through the waste-pipe 6is as follows: When the change of temperature takes place from water tosteam conducted through the condensing-coil ti the tubular extension 23will slightly expand, raising the fulcrum-block 69, operating in theconcaved recess 39, causing the sleeve 40 of the lever-arm 38 to rise.As this operation takes place the lower inner concaved recess 41 of thesleeve 40 will engage the inner con- Vexed face of the convexed Washerand the outer concaved recess arranged on the upper end of the sleevewill engage the opposite side of the con vexed washer, as shown moreclearly in Fig. 4: of the drawings, thereby imparting an upward movementto the connecting-rod 42, raising the pivotal end of the ellipticalspring-lever 61, and depressing the forward end 64 of the said lever,and depressing the pin 22, opening the valve. The reverse operation willtake place when the hydrostatic action upon the thermostat takes place.

When it is desired to admit water into the boiler or cut out theoperation of the balancecontrolling lock-valve 4, the head 18 isdepressed (see Fig. 5 of the drawings) and the lock-lever 16 placed inposition, the hook portion of said lever engaging the concaved face 19of the head. The lower end of the enlarged portion 12 abutting againstthe upper face of the sleeve 12 will limit the movement of thebalance-controlling lock-valve, and the same will then be locked and thevalve opened, admitting a free passage of the watersupply into theboiler.

The waste-controlling valve '71 being constructed with an opening 75extending from the apex of the cone rearwardly at an angle andterminating on the valve-stem at apoint in the rear of the valveprovides an opening for the steam or water to pass to the Wastepipe 6 atall times. tinuous operation of the pumps or injector, as the case maybe, is assured.

From the foregoing description it will be readily apparent the numerousadvantages which are obtained by the use of my improved apparatus, whichprovides new and novel means whereby a direct action is obtained andexercised upon the controlling-valve regulating the feed-water supply,and when a change of temperaturetakes place the thermostat will cause adirect action upon the controlling-valve without the intervention ofauxiliary valves or like means to accomplish the desired result. Moreaccurate and sensitive means of controlling the water-level in theboiler is thus obtained, and the employment of auxiliary valves, whichare common By this means a conto this classof machines, will be entirelyobviated, thereby overcoming a very objectionable feature which can befound in all inventions of this character. Multiplicity of parts and theliability of the same becoming out of order are hazardous and in manycases dangerous and disastrous results follow. All such objectionablefeatures are practically overcome by the useof the herein-describedapparatus.

It will be noted that my improved automatic feed-water regulator may beadvantageously connected to marine boilers, as all parts are soconstructed that they are able to withstand the ordinary jarring and therock ing motion of the vessel without the liability of becoming out ofadjustment.

It will be noted that various changes may be made in the details ofconstruction without departing from the general spirit of my invention.

Having thus fully described inyinvention, what I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In an apparatus of the character described in combination with aboiler, a feedpipe, a controlling-valve arranged in said feed-pipe, aflow-pipe, a condensing-coil attached to said flow-pipe, a thermostatconnected to said condensing-coil, said thermostat operating upon saidcontrolling-valve, and a waste-pipe leading from said thermostat,substantially as described. 7

2. In an apparatus of the character described in combination with aboiler, a feedpipe, a controlling-valve arranged in said feed-pipe, aflow-pipe, a condensing-coil arranged at the end of said flow-pipe, athermostat secured to said condensing-coil, a wastepipe connected tosaid thermostat, and a waste-controlling valve, all parts being arrangedand operatingas herein shown and described.

3. In an apparatus of the character described in combination with aboiler, a feedpipe, a controlling-valve arranged in saidfeed-pipe,locking means secured to said valve, a flow-pipe, athermostat, a condensing-coil arranged at the top of the thermostat andconnecting the end of said flow-pipe, a waste- I pipe arranged to thelower end of the thermostat, and a waste-controlling valve arranged inthe said waste-pipe, substantially as described.

4. In an apparatus of the character described in combination with aboiler, a feedpipe, a balance controlling lockvalve arranged in saidfeed-pipe, a flow-pipe, a thermostat, a condensing-coil connecting thesaid thermostat with said flow-pipe, a waste-pipe, and awaste-controllingvalve having an opening arranged therethrough, saidwaste-controlling valve arranged in said waste-pipe, substantially asdescribed.

5. In combination with a boiler having a feed-pipe connected thereto andto a main feed-pipe,a controlling-valve arranged in said pipe, aflow-pipe connected at one end to the Water-column of the boiler, acondensing-coil connected to the other end of said flow-pipe, athermostat connected to said condensingcoil and means carried by saidthermostat for operating the controlling-valve of the feedpipe,substantially as described.

6. In combination with a boiler having a feed-pipe connected thereto andto a main feed-pipe, a con trolling-valve arranged in said feed-pipe,athermostat, a condensing-coil connected to the said thermostat, aflow-pipe connecting the Water-column of the boiler with said thermostatand a pivoted lever carried by said thermostat and attached to thecontrolling-valve of the feed-pipe, and adapted to operate the valve,substantially as described.

7. In a feed-water regulator, the combination with a boiler, of afeed-pipe connected thereto and a controlling-valve arranged in saidfeed-pipe, a thermostat mounted on the feed-pipe, a flow-pipe connectedat its one end to the water-column ot' the boiler, a condensing-coilconnecting the other end of said flow-pipe to the thermostat, a stay-rodsecured to said thermostat, a lever-arm pivotally secured at its one endto said stay-rod, a lever pivotally secured to the thermostat andengaging said controlling-valve and means connecting said lever-arm andpivoted lever for operating the controlling-valve, substantially asdescribed.

8. In a feed-water regulator, the combination with a boiler, of afeed-pipe connected to the boiler and to a main feed-pipe, acontrolling-valve mounted on the feed-pipe, a ther mostat, a flow-pipeconnecting the thermostat with the boiler, a stay-rod carried by saidthermostat, a lever-arm pivotally secured in the upper end of saidstay-rod, a lever pivotally secured near the lower end of the thermostatand having an elliptical-shaped end engaging the controlling-valve, anda connecting-rod attached to the free end of the leverarm and to the endof the lever engaging the controlling-valve for operating the same,substantially as shown and described.

9. In a feed-water regulator, the combination with a boiler of afeed-pipe connected to said boiler, acontrolling-valve arranged in saidfeed-pipe with double valve -seats arranged therein, a valve-stem,valves secured to said stem and engaging said seats, means carried bythe valve-casin g and engaging said valve-stem for operating the same,athermostat, a condensing-coil connected thereto, a flow-pipe connectingtheboiler with said thermostat, and means carried by said thermostat andoperated thereby for operating the controlling-valve, substantially asshown and described.

10. In a feed-Water regulator, the combination with a boiler having afeed-supply pipe, a controlling-valve arranged in said supplypipe, athermostat supported from the supply-pipe, a flow-pipe connectingthewatercolumn of the boiler with said thermostat, a

stay-rod carried by the thermostat, a leverarm pivotally secured in theupper end of said stay-rod, a controlling-valve, an operative lever, aconnecting-rod secured in the free end of the lever-arm and pivotallyattached to the said operative lever, a plug secured in the upper end ofsaid thermostat, a waste-pipe connected to the thermostat and acontrolling-valve arranged in said wastepipe, substantially asdescribed.

11. In an apparatus of the character described, in combination with aboiler, a feedpipe, a controlling-valve arranged therein, a flow-pipe, acondensing-coil connected to the said flow-pipe, a thermostat and meansconnected thereto for operating the controlling- Valve, substantially asherein shown and described.

in the presence of two witnesses.

FR ANK M. OHAPPELL.

Witnesses:

JOHN NoLAND, E. W. ARTHUR.

